Patriots' Rookie TE Eli Raridon Must Prove His Potential
Drafted ninth overall, Raridon faces high expectations to transform New England's offense.
New England Patriots rookie tight end Eli Raridon enters the NFL with a label that cuts both ways: untapped potential. Drafted ninth overall in a historic class, he wasn't the top tight end prospect, but the Patriots saw something. They bet on traits over production, banking on a 6-foot-6 frame and raw athleticism to reshape their offense.
Raridon's college career at Notre Dame was a tease. Injuries limited his snaps, and his stats — 48 catches for 689 yards over three seasons — don't scream first-round pick. Yet the Patriots ignored the numbers.
